Free Lauren by Laura Marie Henion Page A

case side by side with you boys, so please provide her with any assistance she needs and the cooperation of our department."
    Just then, Eddie's cell phone rang.
    He answered, spoke a few words, then hung up.
    "No problem, Chief, it will be our pleasure,” Ken added, then his phone rang at his desk, so he went to answer it.
    "Well, Lieutenant, this is what I got so far..."
    "You'll have to bring it with you. I'm pulling together a timeline of the latest missing victim. We have some people to question, so you'll have to read on the way,” Eddie told Lauren, then looked toward Ken.
    "I'll hold down the fort here and let you know what we get,” Ken whispered as he held the receiving end of the phone.
* * * *
    Lauren and Eddie headed south, out of town, toward a restaurant and bar called Twist and Shout. On the way, she explained about the connections in the cases.
    "This guy is pretty ruthless. He wanted to keep his identity unknown, so he knocks off a bum he thought could identify him?” Eddie said.
    "Exactly. Which makes me think that our killer frequents Yonkers, Manhattan, and the Bronx, but may live in the suburbs. Perhaps in Stone County."
    "Are you kidding me? What makes you so sure?” Eddie challenged her and Lauren was ready for it as she described the location of the crime scenes, the similarities of the victims, and the places the girls were last seen.
    "According to Geberth and his Practical Homicide Investigation textbook, the serial killer usually strikes close to home or work on the first kill. He then travels elsewhere to avoid detection. This guy is dropping bodies in different jurisdictions, hoping to avoid detection. I guess he never heard of VI-CAP."
    "Ahhh, yes, the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program. That's a program designed to collect and analyze all aspects of an investigation using the latest in computers and computer technology. They have specialists who review unsolved crimes.” Eddie had complete knowledge of the program.
    He thought about his wife, Sarah, and how her murder case continued to go unsolved. Quickly, he shoved the memories and the sadness aside and continued to listen to Lauren.
    "Geberth uses a case just like this in his PHI book to show how the serial killer cleverly continues to kill right under the eyes of the authorities. I think our guy likes young women, college aged, classy, professional, but innocent looking."
    "What do you mean innocent looking? They're in college or fresh out of. How can they be innocent?"
    "I didn't say they ‘were’ innocent. I said ‘look’ innocent. You know a shy type, reserved, but beautiful. Sexy, but hides her figure out of shyness and inexperience, or limited experience."
    He looked toward Lauren. If she weren't wearing the badge and gun, she'd fit into that category. God, she was gorgeous and youthful looking.
* * * *
    She caught the look from Eddie as he turned into the parking lot.
    "Wow, this looks like a nice place.” Lauren wasn't expecting such a huge building never mind one done up so much in the fifties style.
    There was a large wooden sign at the front entrance of the parking area shaped like a group of people near a jukebox. As they passed it, Lauren noted the people appeared lifelike and as teenagers. The girls wore poodle skirts and danced with boys near a multi-colored jukebox. Musical notes around them, from the jukebox to the teenagers, were painted black and looked like they floated through the air.
    "That sign is great."
    Eddie smiled, as he maneuvered the car into an empty space. “Yeah, it's real nice inside too, and the food is fantastic."
    As she grabbed the handle to open the car door, she heard Eddie's deep voice. “Now, let me handle this, and we'll see how it goes. I don't want these local guys blabbing their mouths, saying the city's involved, and the locals need help."
    Lauren stared at him a moment, wondering how he could turn his attitude on and off like a switch. One second, he was nice and friendly, then